§ 46-22-13. Regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions. (a) No regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition (but not including a navigational or piloting contest), in which vessels participating are to be propelled by machinery, may be held on any waters of this state unless authorized by the department of environmental management, as set forth in this section. The department shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants.

(1) Whenever a regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition is proposed to be held, the person in charge thereof, shall, at least fifteen (15) days prior thereto, file an application with the department of environmental management for permission to hold the regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition. The application shall set forth the date, time, and location where it is proposed to hold the regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition, and it shall not be conducted without authorization of the department of environmental management in writing.

(2) No application for a motorboat race (not including a navigational or a piloting contest), in which vessels participating are to be propelled by machinery on any waters of this state, shall be approved by the department of environmental management until the applicant shall furnish proof to the department that the applicant has in force regatta liability insurance in the following amounts:

(i) Bodily injury to one person $10,000

(ii) Bodily injury to two or more persons $20,000

(iii) Property damage - one accident $5,000

(iv) Property damage - aggregate $10,000

(b) A special permit shall be obtained from the department of environmental management for authorization to engage in a trial run (other than a trial run held under the provisions of § 46-22-8) for a motorboat regatta or race, with or without cutouts and/or mufflers, the permit setting forth the time, place, and other conditions under which the trial run may be made.

(c) Motorboats used exclusively for racing, operating on the waters of this state, other than when competing in a duly authorized regatta or race, or making trial runs as set forth in this chapter, shall comply with all the provisions of this chapter.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not exempt any person from compliance with applicable federal law or regulation, but nothing contained herein shall be construed to require the securing of a state permit pursuant to this section if a permit therefor has been obtained from an authorized agency of the United States.

History of Section. (P.L. 1959, ch. 187, § 1; P.L. 1965, ch. 134, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 56.)